Fidan: Israel’s efforts to destabilize the region have become global
Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the destabilizing actions of the Israeli regime as a direct threat to global security and emphasized that the United States’ warmongering against Iran has dealt a heavy blow to the world’s prosperity, security, and stability.
In a speech delivered at an event titled “Türkiye’s Vision for Foreign Policy,” organized by the University of Oxford, Fidan stated: “The actions of the Israeli regime, which fuel the escalation of conflicts, target the entire region.”
The speech took place during Fidan’s official visit to the United Kingdom. He went on to note that successive crises and the climate of instability in recent years have gradually deepened global tensions and brought the international system to the brink of collapse.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister added: “Our region has suffered more than any other from this situation. The war against Iran has severely shaken our vision and dealt a heavy blow to global welfare, security, and stability.”
Pointing to the necessity of learning lessons from historical wars, Fidan said: “The first and most important lesson is that the Israeli regime’s efforts to destabilize the region are no longer confined to local borders and have now turned into a direct threat to global security.”
He then posed today’s fundamental question as follows: “The question of whether the old global order is obsolete is no longer being asked; that question has already been answered. The real question is: Who, and under what conditions, will play a role in shaping the future?”
Fidan also expressed regret over recent remarks about Türkiye made by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
Von der Leyen had previously said: “We must complete Europe so that it does not fall under the domination of Russia, Türkiye, or China. We must think more broadly and more geopolitically.”
Turkey’s Foreign Minister responded: “These remarks were regrettable. We made the necessary contacts, and I believe we have followed up on and corrected this issue.”
It is worth noting that following these remarks, the European Commission clarified that Türkiye is a key ally in NATO and a candidate country for membership in the European Union, and emphasized that Türkiye is without a doubt an important partner in the region, both economically and politically.
Fidan then warned about the link between regional crises and global security: “No crisis remains confined to its own region. Every conflict that is delayed or ignored must be regarded as a source of instability and a ticking time bomb that threatens regional peace. Therefore, we are compelled to find sustainable solutions to the chronic problems that have kept our region on the brink of conflict.”
He stressed that Türkiye’s commitment to mediating crises is built on solid and institutional foundations, adding: “Our approach to mediation is based on the principle that we do not impose outcomes, but rather create conditions that allow the parties themselves to reach the desired results.”
Fidan outlined Türkiye’s vision as follows: “The future we envision is one in which security concerns are addressed with mutual respect, prosperity and interdependence prevail, and cooperation becomes a common language.”
Turkey’s Foreign Minister recalled that the Middle East had long been faced with a ‘submit or consent’ attitude, which itself created many problems, and emphasized: “Türkiye has always focused on cooperation.”
Concluding, Fidan noted that recent crises have raised the level of solidarity among regional countries to unprecedented levels and stressed the importance of resolving regional issues by the region’s own countries themselves.
